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The most obvious effect of rubbing the bristles of a brush against the skin is to physically remove the top-most cells through mechanical friction. Dr Berkowsky explains that the outermost layer of skin serves to protect the underlying layers and is continuously shed and replaced via the multiplication and upward movement of living skin cells. “Inactive, ageing skin does not shed dead cells as easily as youthful skin does, so it is susceptible to cellular build-up, which accounts, in part, for the dry, thick, leathery look of older skin,” he says.

During the practice of dry brushing you may well see cells coming off the skin as a dry powder. Jodie Smith, who works for a company that specialises in making all-natural body brushes, explains why dry bristles are so effective at aiding exfoliation: “Wet bristles clump together, but dry bristles are evenly dispersed and remain firm,” she says. “If you look at a plant bristle under the microscope you will see that it is full of imperfections — these ‘hooks’ are very effective at gathering the dead skin.”

Cellulite fix

Just about any plan that outlines at-home remedies for those lumpy fat deposits women love to hate will include a reference to dry brushing. Dr Berkowsky defines cellulite as a structural disturbance of fat tissue. “The fat content of cellulite-containing tissue is normal, but fibrous nodules surrounding the fat cells give affected skin areas their typical orange-peel appearance.” He believes cellulite formation is related, in part, to lymph congestion and that dry brushing can reduce cellulite by clearing fluids and toxins from fat deposits.

Energy boost

Pam suggests dry brushing can be especially beneficial to those who have a hard time waking in the morning and those who suffer with fatigue, sluggish circulation and congestion. “Stimulation of the blood and nervous system is the reason both wet and dry friction modalities are applied in complementary treatments. I like to think of body brushing as a reflex stimulus to wake the body and make one more alert,” says Pam.